Dickwit means: An objectionably stupid person.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
dickwit
(slang, offensive, or, derogatory, vulgar ) An objectionably stupid person.
ˈdɪkwɪtDocumented since 1970s1970sBoomerhistorical169 viewsLast reviewed Sep 6, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~1970 · no dated citations yetBoomer / counterculture eraSee decade cohort →
Definitions
Avoid at work
#1·Apr 27, 2026
(slang, offensive, or, derogatory, vulgar ) An objectionably stupid person.
For parents
Dickwit means: An objectionably stupid person.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. It is generally derogatory or offensive; worth a quiet word about how it lands on the person being described. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
dickwit means: An objectionably stupid person.. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
Was this helpful?
Comments
Show 1 more dictionary-style sense (imported)
#2·May 2, 2026
An objectionably stupid person.
For parents
Dickwit means: An objectionably stupid person.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
dickwit means: An objectionably stupid person.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
Source: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Was this helpful?
Comments
For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Have a better definition?
Add your own interpretation of "dickwit".
🗺️About Regional & Other slang
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
Tags
Other words near "dickwit" (D)
dick updickwaddick-wavingdickweaseldickweedDick Whittingtondicky-birddicky bowDicky Samdicky upDiCrapiodicty
Browse all slang words starting with D.